Portable wall.



PATENTBD MAR. 20, 1906.'

H. B. COPELAND.

PORTABLE WALL.

No. 815,518. PATBNTED MAR. 20, 1906.

H. B. COPELAND.

PORTABLE WALL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.2 7, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2v I L l l I T l l l I l I I T- ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PORTABLE WALL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 20, 1906.

Application filed February 27, 1905. Serial No. 247,437.

To ctZZ whom it 777/661/ concern;

Be it known that I, HUGH BLACK COPE- LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Walls; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form' a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in portable walls composed of slabs or pieces or sections formed from any suitable material.

The object is to provide a wall which shall be as ornamental as desired and at the same time easily constructed and also capable of being removed without destroying it. In order to accomplish this result, I employ suitable means for attaching and detaching the sections, tiles, or slabs employed whereby the work may be quickly and easily accomplished.

The invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an em bodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary face view of a Wall constructed in accordance with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view showing a single slab in place before the head of the fastening-screw has been concealed. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, showing the screw-concealing means in place. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the construction shown in Fig. 4 with the screw shown in section. This view is on a scale somewhat smaller than Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective view in detail of the washer which the screw engages. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the screw form of concealing device. Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9, Fig. 8.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate suitable stationary bars for the portable wall composed of slabs or sections 6. These slabs are provided with recesses 7, forming tongues, whereby they are adapted to interlock with adjacent slabs whose edges are formed of counterpart shape, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. It is evident that the slabs or sections may be of any desired size. These slabs may also have one or more openings for the fastening devices, as may be desired. Let the numeral 8 designate an opening formed in a slab 6 and registering with an opening formed in the stationary part 5. The face of the slab or tile is recessed-to receive a plate 9, preferably composed of the same material as the slab, a plate 10, preferably composed of metal, and a washer 12, provided with an interiorly projecting sleeve 13, adapted to enter the opening 8 and surround the fastening bolt or screw 14. Another washer 15 may also be interposed between the plate 10 and the sleeve-washer 12. In assembling the parts the washer 12 is placed in position with its sleeve entering the opening 8, the horizontal or flat portion of the washer engaging the bottom of the recess in the slab surrounding the opening 8. The washer 15, if used, is next placed in position. The bolt or screw 14 is then placed in position, its head being seated against the washers 12 and 15. The openings in the washers 12 and 15 are preferably elongated, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, whereby the slab, together with the screwconcealing plates and washers, may have more or less movement without strain upon the fastening-bolts. The opening 8 in the slab is of course elongated to correspond with the shape of the opening in the washer 12 and the sleeve 13, with which the washer is provided. After the screw is placed in position the concealing-plate 10 is applied, occupying a position outside of the screw or bolt head and concealing the same. The plate 9 is then put in place and preferably secured by means of cement or other suitable material adapted to hold it securely in place. This plate 9, as heretofore stated, is preferably composed of the same material as the slab 6, though it may, if desired, be composed of other material. The walls of the recess in the slab are preferably stepped, whereby they diminish in size from the outside inwardly, the plate 10 being of greater surface area than the flat part of the washer 12, while the part 9 is of greater area than the washer 10. This gives a better opportunity for securing the several parts in place.

By using a metal plate 10 next to the head of the screw or bolt the latter is prevented from injuring the exterior concealing-plate 10, which if formed of the same material as the slab would be more brittle and more easily worn than metal. The use of the metal plate 10 therefore adds durability to the structure.

The plate 10, as heretofore described, is rectangular in shape and provided with plain edges. It may be preferable to employ a circular plate 16, (see Figs. 8 and 9,) whose edges are threaded to engage a threaded recess formed in the slab 6. This slab is provided with an opening 8 to receive the screw or bolt 14, a washer-seat 17 surrounding the bolt-hole 8, and a space 18, into which the head of the bolt protrudes, the. said space being also adapted to receive the plate 10. This concealing device 16 may be set or secured in place by means of cement applied to the engaging threaded parts. This screwplate 16 when employed is preferably provided with recesses 19, adapted to be engaged by a suitable spanner-wrench, whereby the device maybe inserted and removed at pleasure.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the plate 10 and the washer 12 would be made circular in shape to correspond with the shape of the screw part 16.

In the form of construction illustrated in Fig. 9 no provision is made for the small washer 15, (shown in Fig. 5,) and indeed this washer may be dispensed with, if desired.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, each slab 6 is provided with two openings or fastening devices, while in Figs. 4, 5, and 9 the slab is only provided with a single opening. It is evident, however, that the number of openings in each slab is not material and in any event would ordinarily depend upon the size of the slab or tile employed.

From the foregoing description the construction and use of my improved portable wall will be readily understood. The interlocking or engaging joints of the adjacent slabs should be connected or united by the use of cement or other suitable or similar fastening material. As soon as any slab is placed in position and the washer 12 inserted the screw or fastenin -bolt 14 may be applied, the bolt being astened by a nut 20, screwed to its threaded extremity and engaging a washer 21, surrounding the threaded extremity of the bolt and engaging the inner surface of the stationary part 5. The plates 10 and 9 are then placed in position and suitably secured, as by the use of cement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a portable wall, the combination with a suitable stationary support, of sectional pieces or slabs provided with openings therethrough registering with openings formed in the support, a fastening device passed through the registering openings of the slab and the support, the slab being recessed surrounding the opening for the fastening device, and a concealing-plate inserted in the recess and covering the extremity of the fastening device but not connected therewith, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a stationary sup port provided with an o ening, a slab provided with a vertically-e ongated opening, a fastening device passed through the opening in the slab and the opening in the stationary support, the opening in the latter being ofa size to fit the fastening device, the slab being recessed around the outer extremity of the fastening-device opening, and a concealingplate secured in said recess and covering the opening of the fastening device.

3. In a portable wall, the combination with a suitable stationary support provided with an opening, a slab provided with an elongated opening, a fastening device passed through the openings in the slab and the support, theopening in the support being adapted to fit the fastening device, the slab belng provided with an exterior recess surrounding the opening for the fastening device, a washer surrounding the fastening device and forming a seat for the head of the latter, a plate located in the recess adjacent to the head of the fastening device, and another plate located in the recess of the slab and suitably secured in place, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a stationary support provided with an opening, a slab also provided with an opening, a bolt passed through the openings of the two members, a nut applied to its inner extremity for holdin the bolt in place, the slab being'recessed around the bolt-hole, a washer having a sleeve portion entering the bolt-hole and engaged by the bolt, a plate placed in the recess ofthe slab and concealing the head of the bolt, and another plate placed in the recess and concealing the first-named plate, the plates being secured in place, substantially as described.

5. A portable wall comprising stationary fastening parts, slabs provided with interlocking adjacent edges, the slabs being provided with openings passing therethrough, and exterior recesses formed therein surrounding the openings, fastening devices passed through the openings in the slabs and the IIO stationary parts, and concealing devices placed in the recesses for concealing the fastening devices, substantially as described.

6. A slab or tile having a recess formed part Way therethrough and provided with a hole extending from the bottom of the recess through the tile, a fastening device passed through the hole, and a device fitted into the said recess and concealing the fastening device exteriorly, the concealing device being 10 v distinct from the fastening device and suitably held in place.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HUGH" BLACK COPELAND. Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN. 

